WESTERN vs HEBRAIC
Western Approach vs Hebraic Approach
How
Vs
Why
Life analyzed in precise categories.
vs
Everything blurs into everything else.
A split between natural & supernatural
Vs
Supernatural affects everything.
Linear logic
vs
Contextual or “block” logic
“Rugged Individualism”
vs
Importance of being part of group
Equality of persons
vs
Value comes from place in hierarchies
Freedom orientation
vs
Security orientation
Competition is good
vs
Competition is evil (cooperation better)
Man-centered universe
vs
God/tribe/family-centered universe
Worth of person based on money/material possessions/power vs
Worth derived from family relationships
Biological life sacred
vs
Social life supremely important
Chance + cause & effect limit what can happen
vs
God causes everything in his universe
Man rules nature through understanding and applying laws of science
vs
God rules everything, so relationship with God determines how things turn out.
Power over others achieved through business, politics and human organizations.
Vs
Power over others is structured by social patterns ordained by God.
All that exists is the material
vs
The universe is filled with powerful spirit beings
Linear time divided into neat segments. Each event is new.
vs
Cyclical or spiraling time. Similar events constantly reoccur.
History is recording facts objectively and chronologically.
vs
History is an attempt to preserve significant truths in meaningful or memorable ways whether or not details are objective facts.
Oriented to the near future
vs
Oriented to lessons of history
Change is good = progress
vs
Change is bad = destruction of traditions
Universe evolved by chance
vs
Universe created by God
Universe dominated and controlled by science and technology
vs
God gave man stewardship over his earthly creation. Accountability to God.
Material goods = measure of personal achievement
vs
Material goods = measure of God’s blessing
Blind faith
vs
Knowledge-based faith
Time as points on straight line (“at this point in time…”
vs
Time determined by content (“In the day that the Lord did…”)
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